I never knew you, but I am not like you

[domeinion]

[Ever since their trip to the Chura Islands, Alice has been wanting to go back and check it out some more. Pretty easy when half your team has Fly, it turns out! So you can find her on Crabrawler Coast, where she lays some coins on the mystery altar.]

I know this isn't your altar, Lord Dome, but I hope you can hear me anyway. It's been a long time, and --

[She pauses, notices you, turns a bit too far, and then turns back.]

Oh, hi! You're here too?

[Later, at Drakhari Bay, Alice is eagerly watching the Drakhari swim around, and she writes in her notebook as Shellock seems to be talking to one. She'll wave if she notices you.]

Isn't this fascinating? This place reminds me of something a friend from Hoenn used to talk about.

[She'll be back on Ohritori by nightfall, at her lab, which is officially done building and open for business. There's a sign out front now, announcing that anyone can come in if they need help with research or just to talk to Alice and her crew!]

Comments

Drakhari Bay

[closedbond]

Hey, Alice.

[X will nod in greeting. He finally decided to go visit Chura after hearing about the gym in Adanook Town. He's just surprised to run into a familiar face so soon. As Alice mentioned about her friend from Hoenn, X lifted his gaze over to the Drakhari. They weren't Pokemon he recognized at all, but they were quite friendly.]

...what did it remind you of?

[domeinion]

Hi, X! [She waves and then looks out at the Drakhari.] Camila used to tell me about a town built on rafts and docks in the ocean! I've never seen it in the flesh, though. And these Pokémon are new.

[closedbond]

[He'd wave but Alice is right there- okay he'll wave a little.]

I've never heard of a town like that, but I also haven't left Kalos before.

[He'll glance over to the Drakhari again, and back to Alice.]

I heard people calling them Drakhari. Were you thinking of studying them?

[domeinion]

I don't see why not! Whenever I see something new, I want to understand it. What do you know about Drakhari?

[closedbond]

[What did he know of them? He'll observe one nearby.]

They seem to be water types but I'm not sure if they have a dual typing, but it's possible. Maybe dragon, based on appearance. Or ice like Lapras?

[X looked thoughtful.]

They remind me of Vivillon from back home, having unique patterns.

[domeinion]

I've read about Vivillon! They've got all sorts of appearances, right? Do you have a favourite?

[closedbond]

Right, they're different based on where they come from. I don't have a favorite...I've never raised one before.

[He'll look thoughtfully at the Drakhari. One near by will make eye contact with the two before letting out a happy rumbling sound.]

...do you like any of them? Vivillion.

[domeinion]

Hmm... Well, I do like the Garden pattern and how they blend in with the greenery. But the Ocean pattern reminds me of home back on Cerulean Cove. Then again, I've never actually raised Vivillon, they don't live where I'm from.

[closedbond]

[X will ponder about the different pattern of Vivillon he's come across through his journey for a moment after hearing Alice's explanation.]

Maybe we'll get to see a wild one out here somewhere in Ultern. I wonder what pattern we might run into here, if there was one...

[He'll give a good look at the outstretched sea.]

Maybe the Ocean pattern? Or even Jungle...considering how much forest we're surrounded by.

Alice's lab

[red_berry]

[There's a knock on the door of the lab, and then Red steps back and waits. There wasn't anyone home the last time he tried, earlier today, so he's hoping Alice's around now.]

[domeinion]

Come in!

[Alice calls from inside, and soon DJ opens the door and waves with a happy roar. Alice walks over from a mess of papers on a card table.]

Oh, it's Red! Did you need something? I just got back in.

[red_berry]

[Red waves back to DJ and nods a thank-you for letting him in.

To Alice, he lifts his other hand, showing a bag from a local bookstore, then offers it towards her.]

...As thanks.

[domeinion]

[Alice blinks. She almost asks for what before she remembers; instead, she takes the bag and carefully opens it.]

Thank you! You didn't need to, but I'm glad. I hope you weren't out looking for me too long.

[red_berry]

[It's a textbook! Fairly randomly chosen, since Red wasn't sure what exactly Alice would be interested in, but it's about Ulternian Pokemon!

Red shakes his head in response to the question. He would've been hanging around this forest anyway, but he remembered how Alice helped him that time and figured he'd bring her something while he's nearby. She just happened to not be in the first time he checked.]

[domeinion]

[It's perfect. It's going right on her shelf next to a bunch of filled notebooks and a shelf label that says "Ultern Pokémon." Right under the "Catalogued World Differences" section and above "Randomizer Records."]

Thanks a lot! Oh, if you were here already, have you seen anything interesting? I'm always open to hear about Pokémon.

[red_berry]

[Red shrugs. He's not sure what Alice would consider interesting. So he'll just take out his phone and show Alice some photos he's been taking recently.

A Wiki popping out of the ground, a Coinpur sleeping on Red's head, a Dodaerie nest, barely-visible Ulternian Cleffa on a mountain at night...]

[domeinion]

Oh, those look great! You've really been getting to know the local wildlife. That reminds me, did you go on that big trip to the nature preserve? That was very informative! ...Even if I may still have trouble setting up camp after all this time.

Alice's Lab

[themaskkeeper]

[It's been quite a few months since Chenzira was last on the islands. He'd woken up back home with his trainer for a while, only to eventually find himself back in Ohritori later on. At least he got to spend some time with Marik again.

The Yamask floats up to the lab, taking a moment to read the sign, then politely knocks on the door. Sure, the sign says he can come in but Chen would think it would be rude to come in unannounced.]

... Hello?

[domeinion]

[Alice opens the door and looks around, then down.]

Oh, Chenzira! It's been a while. Did you need something?

[themaskkeeper]

Hi, Alice.

[He can actually speak a bit more clearly now. Chen floats up to be more of a height with her.]

Here to help... with research!

[domeinion]

Oh, that's great! Come on in! [She steps back and opens the door wider.] Does that mean you found something or have something to share?

[themaskkeeper]

[He floats inside then stops to take off his backpack. A bit of rummaging and then he pulls out...

A tumblestone.

Poor thing has never seen one before so he assumed it was something special. He holds it up to Alice.]

Is good or no?

[domeinion]

[Alice adjusts her glasses and looks it over.]

It looks like an ordinary tumblestone, though they have historically had a few uses! Some people collect rocks, and back in the days where Poké Balls were first invented and were built from Apricorns, these were part of the construction process!

[themaskkeeper]

Dumblestone...

[Hmm. He looks down at it for a second then back up at Alice. Chen's a little disappointed it isn't anything super important. Maybe he can sell it for some money? (Not that he needs it. Marik just stocked him back up.)]

Used to make... pokeballs? How?

[domeinion]

I'm not sure of the exact process, but I'm sure we can find it somewhere! It's not completely a lost art. There are still artisans today who use the old methods because they can!